Modern India is experiencing a boom within education, high incomes and quality of life, but not all sections of the population take part in it. India’s economic growth in the past decades means little to these people, who need all the help they can get.

Through its commitment to the Kanaka Vidya Mandir (KVM) & Vidyadaan schools in India, Kongsberg Digital aims to bridge the gap between social groups. The school’s purpose is to give underprivileged children the opportunity of a better life. It admits 334 pupils, but the capacity increases every year.

“The school offers basic education in simple premises. By learning English, the children are given more opportunities in adult life. The pupils, who all live in the immediate vicinity, receive a nourishing school meal at midday. If they didn’t go to school, these children would be working with their parents,” says HR Manager, Vesta Mathew.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS, DESKS AND BOOKS

Kongsberg Digital has for several years supported the school with new desks, exercise books, school uniforms and other accessories. Four times a year, Kongsberg Digital employees visit the school and organise activities for the children. The last time Vesta Mathew, Kumar Mukkala and the CSR team visited the school to assess their needs, they handed out backpacks, text books and other supplies. The team held a drawing and history competition to motivate the children to do well in school.

“There were many confident storytellers and exceptionally creative drawings, so choosing the winners among the children was a difficult task. But we eventually found the winners, who were awarded prizes to stimulate their confidence and creativity. Finally, we handed out school bags, exercise books and other accessories to each and every pupil.”

“How is it to come out to the school and meet all of these children?”

“It is very encouraging to see the children enjoying the activities we organise, ones they wouldn’t normally experience. The children are really looking forward to our visits, and it is heart-warming to feel that one is making a small contribution to society and as a fellow human being. You learn a lot about how other families live, and you learn a lot about yourself through such work,” concludes Vesta Mathew.